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  • New-Generation Skoda Octavia Launch Delayed Due To The COVID-19 Lockdown In Maharashtra

    New-Generation Skoda Octavia Launch Delayed Due To The COVID-19 Lockdown In Maharashtra

    The new-generation Skoda Octavia was slated to go on sale towards the end of this month in the country. However, in light of the lockdown imposed in the state of Maharashtra, the launch has been indefinitely delayed. Zac Hollis, Director – Sales and Marketing, Skoda Auto India confirmed the development in a tweet. The automaker will be rescheduling the launch as the current situation improves. The new-generation Octavia was originally slated for launch in 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic. We expect Skoda to announce a new launch date once the situation improves in the state.

    The 2021 Skoda Octavia has got plenty of upgrades over its predecessor. The sedan is longer by 19 mm at 4689 mm, and wider by 15 mm at 1829 mm. The design language has seen notable improvements and the model gets a new chrome grille, new headlamps with Matrix LED technology, a new bumper design and a sculpted bonnet. The bot-lid now gets more prominent Skoda lettering along with the LED taillights with the signature pattern.

    The cabin of the new-generation Skoda Octavia will be feature-laden and will come with a two-spoke multi-function steering wheel sporting knurled scroll wheels and a new control button. The model also gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument console and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The lower variants will sport an 8.25-inch display. Other features will include Trizone Climatronic, keyless entry, electric parking brake, acoustic side windows, and more.

    The India-spec fourth-generation Skoda Octavia is likely to get the 2.0-litre TSI with 188 bhp and 320 Nm and it will be offered only with the DSG automatic transmission. Skoda could also offer the Karoq’s 1.5-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 148 bhp and 250 Nm. Details though are yet to be confirmed.

    Maharashtra continues to be one of the worst affected states in terms of COVID-19 cases, with the second wave of the virus harsher than ever. The state reported over 67,468 new cases in the last 24 hours (at the time of filing this report). Maharashtra also reported its worst Covid-19 related death tally in a single day after recording 568 fatalities in the last 24 hours. In light of the growing cases, the Maharashtra government announced a statewide lockdown from April 22, after 8 pm, and will be in effect till 7 pm on May 1, 2021.

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  • Skoda To Invest 2.5 Billion Euros Over Next 5 Years On Future Technologies And EVs

    Skoda To Invest 2.5 Billion Euros Over Next 5 Years On Future Technologies And EVs

    Czech carmaker Skoda Auto, part of the Volkswagen Group, said on Wednesday it would invest around 2.5 billion euros over the next five years on future technologies, with more than half going to electric vehicle investment. The Czech Republic’s largest exporter is hoping for a rebound in 2021 from a global car sales drop but faces uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic and a semiconductor shortage rattling the industry.

    “This year is likely to be another big challenge,” finance director Klaus-Dieter Schuermann said. “We expect Skoda Auto’s group performance to improve, with sales revenue significantly above the level of last year.”

    Skoda reported on Wednesday a 54.5% drop in 2020 operating to 756 million euros ($894 million). Sales revenue dropped 13.8% to 17.1 billion euros.

    Global deliveries remained above 1 million cars for a seventh straight year despite a 19% drop after production outages at the outset of the pandemic and a fall in China, its biggest single market.

    Chief Executive Thomas Shaefer said the car company was managing the semiconductor shortage “but it will follow us for a while” and the impact was not visible yet.

    Skoda’s core market in Europe would be electric in the future, Shaefer said, although it was still not time to completely switch away from traditional models, which include the launch last year of a new generation of its flagship Octavia model. It has also started production of the all-electric Enyaq iV model.

    Skoda plans investments of 1.4 billion euros into electromobility development as part of its five-year investment plan. Investments will also go into digitalization activities and plant modernization.

  • Skoda Auto Opens New Manufacturing Facility For Test Vehicles & Prototypes At Mlada Boleslav Site

    Skoda Auto Opens New Manufacturing Facility For Test Vehicles & Prototypes At Mlada Boleslav Site

    The technical department of Skoda Auto recently opened a new facility to manufacture test vehicles and prototypes at its Mlada Boleslav site. This new facility will ensure the development of these vehicles under one roof. The carmaker uses state-of-the-art technologies, such as robot stations and virtual reality solutions, throughout the entire production process. The Czech automaker produced some of the test vehicles for the all-electric ENYAQ iV at the new facility. The entire warehousing is incorporated into vehicle manufacture results in further savings, reducing logistics costs by more than 150,000 euros annually.

    Johannes Neft, Skoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development said, “The use of test cars allows us to draw conclusions about numerous technical parameters at an early stage of development and make the necessary adjustments long before serial production of a new model commences. We are now taking the next step. In the future, we will build 300 test vehicles and 120 prototypes per year with maximum efficiency under one roof in our new, state-of-the-art facility at the Mlada Boleslav site. We have created the ideal conditions here to develop vehicles at the highest level and that will shape the future of our brand.”

    David Vanek, Head of Model and Prototype Manufacture said, “Our new facility has three floors and houses the parts warehouse, body shop, final assembly, and paint shop, all within the smallest of footprints ensuring short distances. At the same time, the facility’s high degree of automation allows for more agile processes and a significant increase in production capacity for test vehicles and prototypes. Furthermore, the building features state-of-the-art virtual reality technologies as well as 168 workplaces in open-space offices and 13 meeting rooms. A large part of the complex 14,000 square meter is used for vehicle manufacture.”

    The ground floor at the center accommodates parts warehouse that includes a covered yard for unloading trucks. While car bodies are manufactured on the second floor, the third floor contains a paint shop and final assembly. The material is transported between floors through a freight elevator. Moreover, the proportion of automation in the body shop has increased to 45 percent from 15 percent because of two robot stations. The production capacity is now doubled to ten car bodies per week while requiring 20 percent less space.

    Additionally, weight-saving designs can be developed at the center as the carmaker has expanded its body shop to include an innovation center for testing joining techniques. It includes clinching, riveting, flow drill screw (FDS) fastening, laser welding, and composite construction.

    Workstations at the facility can be preconfigured and customized with the help of virtual reality technologies, and state-of-the-art IT systems are used in logistics. Quality control will be integrated into the production process and run parallel to the respective manufacturing steps. From an ecological point-of-view, the production facility for the new model and prototype models is very advanced. The short distances save around 1,800-litre of fuel per year, enabling a decrease in CO2 emissions of roughly five tonnes.

  • Skoda To Add 100 New Dealers In India By The End Of 2020

    Skoda To Add 100 New Dealers In India By The End Of 2020

    Skoda Auto India is currently focusing on expanding its footprint across the country. Apart from adding new outlets, the company will also be replacing the existing ones, who do not have enough financial resources to expand with the brand. The Czech automaker is working on the dealer expansion network throughout the country alongside its digital sales growth. The automaker intends to double its dealership network by 2022 as a part of project India 2.0.

    As per the original plan, the company aimed to strengthen its network by opening 124 new dealers by the end of this year. However, the plans were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the brand has revised its target to 100 new outlets by the end of this year.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Rapid automatic, Zac Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “We have reduced our target to 100 by this year-end and 130 by the middle of next year. This year we will open new outlets in Bhopal, Mysore, and Guwahati, and new service centers with completely new dealers in Navi Mumbai and other places. This year we will add 27 new outlets.”

    The company also confirmed that it will not be introducing the Kodiaq RS in the Indian market. But, the BS6 Kodiaq TSI model will hit the market by early next year. The recently launched the Skoda Rapid TSI automatic in India with a starting price of ₹ 7.49 lakh and goes up to ₹ 13.29 lakh (all prices ex-showroom).

  • Skoda’s First-Half Deliveries Fall

    Skoda’s First-Half Deliveries Fall

    Skoda Auto sees signs of recovery after first-half deliveries crashed 31% amid coronavirus lockdown measures, the Czech carmaker owned by Volkswagen said on Friday.

    The company, a bellwether for the Czech economy which contracted by a record 10.7% year-on-year in the second quarter, said it expected global markets to stabilize gradually as long as the coronavirus pandemic does not worsen significantly.

    Skoda delivered 426,700 cars from January to June while sales revenue fell by a quarter to 7.55 billion euros ($8.95 billion)and operating profit sank 72% to 228 million euros. Skoda plans to roll out the largest model campaign in its history, with 30 new models – including electric vehicles – launching between 2019 and 2022.

    It said that its program to restart operations since June had shown positive effects and said incoming orders had started to exceed last year’s level. Demand at European dealerships had increased, it added.

    “In June we were able to make significant gains compared to the previous months,” said Skoda board member for sales, Alain Favey. “We expect a recovery in the third quarter and anticipate a return to the previous year’s level in the fourth quarter.”

    Skoda, the country’s biggest exporter that delivered 1.24 million vehicles in 2019, said it was continuing to roll out the largest model campaign in its history, with 30 new models – including electric vehicles – launching between 2019 and 2022.

    The company’s Czech factories shut for 39 days after the coronavirus pandemic hit Europe in March, a major blow to an economy that relies heavily on the car industry.

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  • Skoda Auto Braces For Second-Quarter Hit After Earnings Drop Globally

    Skoda Auto Braces For Second-Quarter Hit After Earnings Drop Globally

    Czech carmaker Skoda Auto, part of the Volkswagen Group, reported a 25% drop in first-quarter operating profit on Monday, but said the biggest hit from the coronavirus outbreak would come in the second quarter.

    Skoda, the Czech Republic’s largest exporter which counts China as its biggest individual market, started feeling the impact of the coronavirus crisis during the first three months of the year as its global sales fell by a quarter and it shut its domestic factories for 39 days beginning in March.

    However, the company said the biggest impact from the pandemic was still to come and it had started measures to reduce costs and spending in the short term.

    “We expect the greatest impact of the current crisis to be in the second quarter, followed by a gradual recovery in the third quarter and a possible return to the previous year’s level in the fourth quarter,” board member Klaus-Dieter Schurmann said.

    Hyundai Creta Bookings, Skoda Karoq Details, Datsun redi-Go

    The top automotive stories of the day – Hyundai Creta receives 20,000 bookings. Skoda Karoq details out. Datsun redi-GO photos leaked.

    First-quarter revenue fell 1.4% to 4.85 billion euros, while worldwide deliveries tumbled 24% to 232,900 vehicles. Not including China, deliveries fell 16%.

    Skoda has boosted annual deliveries above 1 million in recent years but like other carmakers has been hit hard the virus outbreak, which started in China around the turn of the year before hitting Europe in force in March.

    Skoda relaunched production at a reduced pace on April 27 and the entire car sector in the central European country faces a shaky restart, with officials expecting the sector to run below capacity this year.

    Skoda Chief Executive Bernhard Maier said the shutdown meant a loss in the production of 100,000 cars. He said it was still difficult to forecast global car sales in the coming months but that the company was well-positioned.

    “We are fighting for every car, because our order backlog is still high,” he said, adding Skoda was sticking to its medium and long-term development plans.

  • Skoda’s First Electric SUV To Be Called Enyaq

    Skoda’s First Electric SUV To Be Called Enyaq

    Skoda Auto today revealed that its first electric SUV will be presented soon. It, in fact, let out what it will be called. Skoda will call it the Enyaq and yes even we want to know where that name comes from. According to the company, the name Enyaq is based in the Irish language and expresses the vehicle’s dynamism and efficiency. The Enyaq then opens a new chapter in the 125-year history of the Skoda brand. It will be Skoda’s first electric car which will be built on the MEB platform, and will also launch a new family of model names. Of course, Skoda already has an electric car to its name, the Citigo iV and so it’s not new to the EV space, however, the all-electric SUV will definitely ind it a wider appeal

    Skoda SUVs have traditionally had names ending in the letter Q, and the new Enyaq follows this tradition just like the Kamiq, Kodiaq and the Karoq. But the new model’s first letter shows that this tradition is merging with the eMobility era, referenced by the letter E at the beginning of the name. The name, Enyaq, is derived from the Irish name Enya, which means ‘source of life’,

    We’ll know more about the electric SUV very soon, but it’s clear why the company wants to start its journey in the electric mobility space with an SUV. Well, the clear trendsetters now are the SUVs globally and so this decision does not come as a surprise. As to which markets the Enyaq will be introduced? Well, there’s no clarity on that yet and we’ll know more very soon.

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  • Skoda Vision IN Concept Teased In New Video

    Skoda Vision IN Concept Teased In New Video

    Skoda India has rolled out a new video teasing its upcoming Vision IN concept SUV. Slated to make its global debut at the upcoming Auto Expo 2020, the new Vison IN concept is built on the new MQB-A0 IN platform and will preview the company upcoming SUV that is set to be based on the localized version of the MQB architecture. The video teaser gives us a glimpse of the new butterfly grille featuring the signature vertical slats outlined in crystal, which is illuminated along with the Skoda logo on the hood. The video also gives us a clean look at the new split LED headlamps which come with the lettering “Vision IN” etched on them.

    Based on the exterior sketches which were revealed earlier, the concept SUV will also come with a clamshell-style bonnet with sculpted lines, alone with a muscular front bumper with beefy claddings and large air intakes. The video and the older sketches both confirm that the SUV will come with a set of roof rails, side and wheel arch claddings and larger alloy wheels. While we do not get to see the rear section of the concept here, the sketch reveals a pair of wraparound LED taillights with the 3D effect, and aluminum diffuser extended to the rear bumper. The SUV also gets a horizontal light strips connecting the reflectors on the tailgate and the bold Skoda lettering that is placed in the center.

    The teaser video also highlights some of the features of the cabin, which will also make heavy use of crystalline elements. For instance, the gear selector button in the center console, under the virtual cockpit, and a decorative crystal piece positioned on the dashboard. The seat covers come with contrast stitching, and the multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel features the knurl wheels in line with Skoda’s new operating concept. We also get a glimpse of an illuminated SOS button, which indicates, the car could get connected car technology.

    Developed specifically for the Indian market, the new MQB-A0 IN is part of Skoda’s India 2.0 project, and the platform will underpin subcompact models from Skoda and Volkswagen, including the localized version of the Kamiq and the T-Cross. We will get more details about the concept and the company’s upcoming models on February 5, at the Auto Expo 2020.

  • 2020 Skoda Octavia Leaked Ahead Of Global Reveal In November

    2020 Skoda Octavia Leaked Ahead Of Global Reveal In November

    Skoda Auto’s popular selling Octavia sedan is scheduled to enter its 11th generation next month, and ahead of the big reveal in Prague, an exterior image of the car has been leaked online. While Skoda released sketches of the new Octavia recently, the leaked image comes from the automaker’s online configurator that is yet to go live and gives us a good look at the new design language. As expected, the 2020 Skoda Octavia shares its design cues with the new Superb complete with the long and swooping bonnet, new single headlamp cluster design that we first saw on the Scala and a wider butterfly grille. The new Octavia looks more stately than the predecessor and that’s something the executive sedan class buyers will appreciate.

    The new generation Skoda Octavia is based on a modified version of the MQB platform and is expected to boast of a larger footprint. The leaked image hints at a longer wheelbase, although we will have to wait for the official specifications to confirm that. While the rear is yet to be revealed, the Octavia’s notchback styling will return on the new generation model, while the car will get new LED taillights that now overlap the boot-lid.

    The interiors are yet to be revealed, but previous spy images have hinted at a virtual instrument cluster, larger touchscreen infotainment system, two-spoke multi-function steering wheel and an electric parking brake. The car will also come with new driver aids and assistance systems as part of the package. The rear is also likely to boast of better legroom and shoulder room than the outgoing version. The sedan will also get the Skoda badging on the boot instead of the winged-arrow badge that has adorned the company’s offerings so far.

    Engine options on the new Skoda Octavia will include a 1.5-liter petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines, while a hybrid version is also expected to join the line-up with a 48V mild-hybrid motor. The car will also come in the station wagon body style for the European markets, and there’s of course, the Octavia vRS in the pipeline that is expected to pack in some serious power this time around.

    The 11th generation Skoda Octavia is slated to be revealed globally at a special standalone event on November 13, 2019, in Czech Republic. Interestingly, India is expected to get the new Octavia as early as 2020 and will be part of the four new launches that the automaker will bring over the course of the year. The new Octavia is produced at Skoda’s Mlada Boleslav facility in the Czech Republic for Europe, and is partially made-in-India at VW Group’s facility in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

  • Skoda Dealerships Get A New Corporate Identity Theme Across India

    Skoda Dealerships Get A New Corporate Identity Theme Across India

    Skoda Auto India has redesigned and rebranded its entire dealership and service network across 53 cities in India. All 63 dealerships and 61 service stations have been designed according to the new corporate identity and design (CICD) theme. The rebranding is in line with Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project and all dealership will get the corporate architecture and functional interiors design concept in a bid to enhance and simplify the customer experience. Skoda along with its dealer partners has invested ₹ 1200 million in India for rebranding its dealerships.

    Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service and Marketing at Skoda Auto India said, “Skoda has successfully rebranded its entire network of dealership facilities with a Fresh, Modern, and ‘Simply Clever’ layout that elevates the presentation of the brand and is an important cornerstone of the Skoda led ‘INDIA 2.0’ project. Through our redesigned dealership network we are focusing on strengthening the brand in India while working closely with our channel partners to guarantee sustainability. The transformation of our sales and service facilities envisioned to provide enhanced customer experience, is rated positively by our customers, dealer partners, and sales and service personnel.”

    Skoda is leading the charge for the project India 2.0 which aims at local development and better positioning of the brands (both Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Skoda Auto India) in India. Apart from revamping its dealerships, both companies will also hire local staff in every demography who have a better understanding of the regional culture and are fluent in local language. Moreover, India will see a slew of indigenously developed Skoda and VW model in future which will be based on the MQB AO platform.

  • This Skoda Concept Car Gets A Built In Washing Machine

    This Skoda Concept Car Gets A Built In Washing Machine

    If you’re a carmaker, would you ever think about the slow moving cyclists on the road? The unanimous answer here should be no. But Skoda, with the Karoq Velo concept, has made the ultimate support car for the growing number of cyclists around the world. Featuring a host of in-built technologies, from a fully-functioning washing machine for sweaty kit to a drone landing pad, the Karoq Velo offers the services of a fully-staffed race support team.

    Developed and built by Skoda UK, the Karoq Velo was conceived by a team of passionate cyclists to help fellow riders enjoy the perfect ride this summer. Its numerous unique design features were shaped by the results of a survey carried out by the Czech carmaker. More than 1,500 active riders were asked to suggest ideas for the perfect cycling support vehicle and all these ideas were packed into this one-off Karoq.

    Among the many stand-out features of the Karoq Velo, is a fully integrated spin cycle washing machine. This was chosen after 27 per cent of survey respondents said that returning to their car in damp cycling kit was a major downside of riding. The washing machine uses the same water supply as an integrated pressure washer that ensures that bikes can be made as fresh as their owners after a long summer ride. A washing machine in a car is something that you don’t see often right.

    After 31 per cent of survey respondents reported that mechanical issues were a major bugbear, Skoda’s design team created space for a full tool kit and equipment to facilitate rapid puncture repairs. A network of built-in LED lights also ensures that any late-night repairs can be carried out without the need to hold a torch or find a streetlight to work under.

    Practicality and carrying ability were also high on the wish-lists of survey respondents, with 37 per cent of cyclists wanting an easy to use exterior bike carrier, and 29 per cent wanting the extra security of an in-car storage system. The result is sufficient racking to carry two bikes on a special roof mount and one inside. Despite being packed with kit, the Karoq Velo still has room for three adult passengers.

    In keeping with the standard Karoq, the Karoq Velo is brimming with technology. Features specifically developed for the concept include a special magnetic landing pad for a Follow Me drone that uses sensors and recognition technology to follow the cyclist and capture ride photos. An inbuilt Wi-Fi hotspot also allows riders to immediately upload footage of their ride when they return to the Karoq Velo.

    The Karoq Velo also features the emergency call function that when pressed will immediately relay the car’s location to and connect to someone instantly who will be able to assist in an emergency. Although the one-off Karoq Velo is not available for sale, it is being used throughout the summer to assist cyclists ahead of races and competitions.

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  • Skoda Superb To Launch In India By Mid-2020

    Skoda Superb To Launch In India By Mid-2020

    It’s been just days since Skoda unveiled the 2020 Superb facelift and the company has confirmed that it will arrive in India by mid-2020. The 2020 Skoda Superb facelift is expected to launch in the second quarter of the next calendar year and the Czech carmaker is also evaluating the prospects of bringing in the plug-in hybrid variant for the Indian market. Yes! The Superb is also getting a plug-in-hybrid variant this time around.

    The plug-in-hybrid variant uses the 1.4-Litre TSI petrol engine which we have seen in the Audi A4 and it will be coupled with an electric motor to churn out 215 bhp in the amalgamation. The all-electric range is up to 55 km and up to 850 km can be covered when combined with the petrol engine. The hybrid powertrain uses a lithium-ion high-voltage battery which is positioned in the chassis floor in front of the rear axle. Skoda offers the Superb with a range of engine and transmission options to choose from. However, the other two options which are likely to be on sale in India are the 2.0-liter diesel and petrol engines. All the three powertrains are expected to be mated to the seven-speed DSG gearbox and will be BS6 complaint since they will launch after the emission norms will kick in.

    In terms of design, the 2020 Skoda Superb remains largely similar to the current model, save for the tweaked bumpers. The new bumpers have marginally added to its length, by 8 mm to 4,869 mm. However, its other dimensions remain unchanged. That said, the new Superb will be offered with some updated fitments. It gets sleek all-LED headlights along with daytime running lights and new position lights which now are stacked closer to the grille. It also gets 18-inch and 19-inch alloy wheels and the colors Crystal Black and Race Blue have been added to the range of customization options.

    On the inside, there are new chrome highlights on the instrument panel and door trims and the seat covers on the Ambition and Style variants are new as well. The Virtual Cockpit is optional and buyers can choose from three different infotainment systems, two of which also offer a navigation function. In the global market, the SmartLink technology comes as standard for all of the systems and enables access to smartphone apps via the infotainment system’s display. A SIM card provides Internet access, a Wi-Fi hotspot and access to the Skoda Connect mobile online services. The L&K version is fitted with a Canton sound system as standard.

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  • New Skoda Superb Scout Cross-Estate Unveiled

    New Skoda Superb Scout Cross-Estate Unveiled

    Jacked up Estate body types have found preference among car buyers. These cars are more practical than their sedan counterpart and luxury carmakers like Mercedes, Audi and Volvo have one such model in their portfolio. Volkswagen too has the Passat Alltrack and now even Skoda has added the new Superb Scout which is essentially a cross-estate version of the Skoda Superb.

    The new Skoda Superb Scout is different from the Skoda Combi Estate which was sold in Europe. It looks rugged equipped with matte black body claddings and also gets larger 18-inch alloy wheels while 19-inches are optional. The ground clearance is up by 15 mm and there are subtle body enhancements in the profiling in a bid to add to the rugged appeal. The roof rails and window frames are chrome-plated, and the wing mirror housings shine in an aluminum look and there are special SCOUT badges as well. The elongated body style and other additions have also made the Superb Scout heavier than the Superb sedan and it tips the scale at 2200 kg.

    On the inside, the Skoda Superb Scout is finished in special wood-effect decorative strips that bear the Scout logo just like on the front seats. The seat covers are finished in fabric with contrasting stitching and the Alcantara leather seats with brown contrasting stitching are optional. The front seats are heated and are available with new piping in a contrasting color. The central display is fitted with additional offroad screens and the driver is greeted by a special, Scout specific, welcome logo on the display when entering the car. The front passenger seat can be electrically adjusted from the rear and the optional Sleep package provides larger headrests and a blanket, like the ones we have seen in the Kodiaq. It goes without saying that the Scout gets a larger boot than the Superb with a capacity of 660 to 1,950 l. The tailgate can be electrically operated and it can also be opened using the foot-gesture command.

    The Skoda Superb Scout will be offered with two tried and tested engine options. First is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder, TDI diesel engine which puts out 197 bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, TSI petrol motor is also on offer. In the Superb scout, this engine is tuned to churn out 268 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque and is mated to also mated to the seven-speed DSG gearbox. These are the same engine options we have seen in a range of VW Group cars. However, highlight here is the off-road mode which activates the all-wheel-drive system. It also comes with a rough road package which is a standard fitment and provides underbody protection for the engine along with the undercarriage. The ride is further complemented with the driving modes which work in conjunction with the Dynamic Chassis Control.

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  • 2020 Skoda Superb Facelift Global Debut End of May

    2020 Skoda Superb Facelift Global Debut End of May

    The Superb is the flagship in Skoda’s portfolio and it is planning to present the 2020 facelifted model to the world on a special occasion. IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is a grand affair for the Czech carmaker and it has signed up for the 27th time as its lead sponsor and will supply 50 fleet cars for the event. Skoda will also seize the opportunity to unveil the 2020 Superb Facelift on May 23, 2019, on the quarter-final match day.

    Pulling off a surprise, Skoda may also introduce the Superb Facelift with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain which was expected in the next-generation model. For the first time in history, Skoda will be offering a hybrid model and we are expecting it to borrow the powertrain from the Volkswagen Passat GTE. The same 1.4-liter, turbocharged TFSI petrol motor which powers the Audi A4 is expected to be coupled with an electric motor in the upcoming Skoda Superb. We have seen the same powertrain earlier at the 2016 Auto Expo in the Volkswagen Passat GTE plug-in-hybrid variant in which it develops 212 bhp and 400 Nm of peak torque. The 2020 Skoda Superb is likely to get it in the same state of tune.

    The car has already been spotted testing and design modifications on the new model will be rather subtle. The front bumper will get a wider air dam along with slightly muscular overhangs and the rear bumper will be revised as well. Moreover, new elements such as full-LED headlamps and new daytime running lights (DRLs) will also be on offer. Expect the rear to have the new widespread Skoda badging instead of the logo.

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  • Skoda India Opens Its Largest Workshop Facility In Coimbatore

    Skoda India Opens Its Largest Workshop Facility In Coimbatore

    Skoda Auto today announced opening a new workshop facility in India in association with SGA Cars India, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The new facility is Skoda Auto’s largest workshop in the country and is spread across 49,585 sq. ft. of the premium service area, equipped with 50 bays, and a capacity to serve 20,000 vehicles per annum. The service workshop also has more than 40 dedicated aftersales personnel, and the company says that it has been built in line with Skoda’s new corporate identity and design.

    Skoda India feels that the new modern workshop facility will further strengthen its position in Tamil Nadu, and help the company achieve a strong foothold in the southern markets. Inaugurating the new state-of-the-art service facility, Zac Hollis, Director – Sales, Service and Marketing, Skoda India, said, “Skoda Auto India is set to strengthen its presence in the southern markets of our nation. The dimensions of the new facility are a reflection of the region’s potential for the brand. We are confident that our partnership with SGA Cars India will play an important role, in scaling up the brand, by offering our patrons a hassle-free ownership experience and utmost peace of mind.”

    Commenting on their partnership with Skoda, Arputharaj, Dealer Principal, SGA Cars India said, “We are delighted to partner with Skoda Auto India to introduce our newly designed workshop facility. The state-of-the-art service infrastructure and optimized business processes will enable us to deliver an unmatched service experience. The advancement of Skoda makes us more confident and committed to our valued customers.”

    Skoda India currently has a network of 64 sales and 62 service outlets across the country. However, as part of its ‘INDIA 2.0’ project, Skoda Auto plans double its dealer network across 50 new cities, over the next 3 years, to further increase the accessibility of the brand. As for some of its customer initiative programmes, the company recently also introduced ‘EasyBuy’, an assured introductory 57 percent buyback value programme for the Skoda Superb model range, at the end of the three-year contractual term. This is in addition to the company’s existing Skoda Shield Plus plan which offers motor insurance, 24×7 roadside assistance, and an extended warranty for all Skoda cars.

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